That's Not Cheap, That's Abusive

He was born on Christmas Day.
The spirit of the season didn't take.
A tyrant miser begged to be spared a criminal record Friday after subjecting his wife and five kids to years of deprivation.
By winter they froze because the 52-year-old wouldn't turn up the heat.
He capped showers at four litres of water: Two jugs, one for rinsing and one for washing, awaited family members looking to freshen up.
And the toilet could only be flushed after everyone had finished in the bathroom.
The man -- who cannot be named to protect the identity of his family -- called these "common sense practises."
Judge Charles Hackland convicted him earlier this month of criminal harassment and assault charges.
The man, who has spent about 2-1/2 years in jail, asked Hackland to impose a discharge, which would spare him a criminal record.
"I came to Canada with a dream of improving the quality of life," said the Yemen-born man, who had been earning a $90,000-a-year salary when he was arrested.
"My dream was shattered in a flash."
At best, it would have been a dim flash -- another of his sensible practises entailed buying only 40-watt light bulbs.
Nevertheless, Hackland noted with a degree of astonishment that his scrimping had allowed him to purchase the $210,000 family home in cash.
"I tried to save as best as I could for my family," the man said.
Liberal was not a word in his vocabulary -- except when it came to discipline.
He'd punish his kids with a leather belt cracked over their open palms, or he'd pinch and twist their ears.
Crown prosecutor Tim Wightman -- arguing for a suspended sentence and three years of probation that would leave the man with a criminal record -- said the man's comments showed no regard for the harm he'd visited on his family.
His kids "still struggle with the effects of what has happened to them, and yet this man stands before you today ... and tells you how difficult this has been on him," Wightman said.
"I also have suffered a great loss," the man retorted.
Hackland piped up.
"Mr. Wightman's observation seem to be accurate," he said gently. "If it's not, tell me."
The man sat down.
"What am I supposed to do, lie to Your Honour and this court?" the man said.
Hackland will sentence him Wednesday.